Termites can be destructive to wood structures. Once your home gets infested with these destructive bugs, you may end up having to replace some of your wooden furniture before enjoying its lifetime. Most importantly, they can cause a dramatic spike in the costs of home repair as they chew on parts such as the roof soffits, ceiling, foundation, and many others.
Remember, these insects are quite tiny. It can take months before you even notice their invasion and the extent of damage they have caused. They also multiply very fast, considering their relatively short life cycles. Considering that termites are ranked one of the most common infestations in the home, prevention is always better than cure. It is better to prevent their invasion rather than having to deal with an infestation. On this note, here are some tips on how to keep your home from being infested with termites.
Eliminate the Wood In Contact With the Ground
Termites are more likely to begin their errands into your property if there is any wood on the ground. The wood on the ground provides termites with easy access to other parts of the house. They will bore holes through the wood and find their way up to your house. You need to have all wooden structures at least six feet above the ground. This means that you will have to pull soil and mulch away from your home’s foundation, placing all wooden bases on top of concrete structures. Although the concrete can give the termites to the wood, it’s not as easy as it would be with the wood on the ground.
Do Away With Moisture
If there is one thing known to attract different pests, especially termites are ants, it would be moisture. If the soil next to your foundation is ever moist, you are more likely to get a visit from these insects. You could be forced to start thinking about renovating your home sooner than you anticipated. You need to ensure that the soil around the foundation is ever dry by having a functional gutter that directs water away from your house and splash blocks. Leaking pipes in and out of the house need repairs to keep these termites at bay. If the soil has poor drainage, then find a way to drain it, lest you incur the cost of having to repair the wooden structures in your household more often than expected.
Consider Professional Inspection and Treatment
Before it reaches the point where your home starts falling apart, it is best to consider contacting a professional exterminator for termite inspection and treatment. It will cost you a few bucks, but this is no match to the repair bills and other financial losses you might incur if termites slip into your home, multiply, and start causing damage undetected. According to the folks at Pest-Ex Control in Gold Coast, a pest control expert can help you avoid a termite infestation in various ways. In addition to inspection, these range from termite barriers to baiting, and reticulation systems. Early termite treatment using termiticides and other control measures will help eradicate these pesky bugs before the situation gets out of hand.
Especially if you suspect an invasion, getting a professional is your best option as they know where to look and the best places to apply the termite control chemical to keep the situation in check. Reputed pest control services are also bonded and insured, so you can always call them back just in case termites return after the treatment.
Termite infestation can leave you frustrated and stressed. They can cause immense financial losses if left to invade and create their homes in your home. With the few tips above, however, you can keep these annoying bugs away from your home.
